Premium Fuel "recommended" for new G35
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From: Japan, So Cal, and soon New Mexico :-(
Originally Posted by GoofyG28
Does it hurt the engine by putting a lower octane gasoline?
Long answer not really.
Like other people have said you wont get the performance but if you want it to look good and pick up b!tches then get the cheap stuff. I wouldnt worry about the long term effects but that is me.
Key word recommends, if you put in the cheap stuff your engine will take care of itself.
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Actually, on my previous car (2000 Maxima SE) I was able to notice a difference in performance between 87 and 93. It had automatic transmission and a quick stomp on the gas would make the downshift much more aggressive and responsive. The car also hauled better with 93.
Originally Posted by HomieG35
Lets say you travel an average of 15,000 miles a year.
Lets also say that you can go 300 miles per tank before you need to fill up again.
That means you fill up 50 times a year.
Again, lets say the different between premium and regular is 50 cents.
Everytime you fill up you put in 15 gallons.
Thats a difference of $7.50 a tank.
So your saving $350 a year. Thats $350 extra dollars you will waste on something else.
Not really worth it. Yes you can put regular and it won't really hurt, the computer will compensate.
Lets also say that you can go 300 miles per tank before you need to fill up again.
That means you fill up 50 times a year.
Again, lets say the different between premium and regular is 50 cents.
Everytime you fill up you put in 15 gallons.
Thats a difference of $7.50 a tank.
So your saving $350 a year. Thats $350 extra dollars you will waste on something else.
Not really worth it. Yes you can put regular and it won't really hurt, the computer will compensate.
Easier calc...
Miles travel a year * $ diff between reg and premium / your mpg = $$$$ extra a year for using premium
Mine
22500 * $.20 / 20mpg = $225
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From: NC
Originally Posted by jerminator
You guys are taking this too serious. It's not that big a deal. Just cause he asked a question does not mean he can't afford premium. Why throw away money if you don't need to? chill, it won't hurt to try. Geez...
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Originally Posted by jerminator
You guys are taking this too serious. It's not that big a deal. Just cause he asked a question does not mean he can't afford premium. Why throw away money if you don't need to? chill, it won't hurt to try. Geez...
After saying that, what if the gas price becomes like $5 per gallon or even more? Impossible? Well, all it takes is all out war in the Middle East or civil war in Iraq, which is real possibility based on the current situation there.
If the gas price hits the fan, I think it good to know that at least we have option to put in regular gas in G35. Someone calculated the saving would be "only" $350 per year by using regualr. Well, this add up to be $1,000 if you drive for 3 years and $1,700 for 5 years. If you guys call that kind money a small change, I envy your wealth.
Unless the car manual requires premium fuel, it is just waste of money to put in higher grade fuel. This is not just my opinion but shared by many others, including many car experts. It's all in your head to make you feel better if you put in more expensive fuel. In a small 4 cylinder car, the difference is more noticable especially during idling. But in large displacment car with over 300hp, I doubt that you'll feel anything significantly noticable with using "lesser" fuel.
-
I don't fill with Regular, so the comparasion below is between premium vs.
Mid range.
If you flunked math, no need to read further
My car each fill is 17 Gal. Premium Gas Cost is $0.1 more/Gal at my pump.
17G fill = Cost $1.7 more per tank for going premium.
I get slightly better gas milage with premium. Mid Range I get 18.5 mpg.
but premiun I get 19 mpg. I get ~0.5 more mpg with Premium gas (93) over Mid range (89) which make the car go for aditional 8.5 miles per 17 Gal fill.
8.5 miles at 19 mpg ~0.45 Gal. If Gas Price is at $3 per Gal. premium gas give me a gain of $1.35 by running a 8.5 more miles per tank.
Net Result, The saving on going to Mid Range from Premium is
$1.7-$1.35 = 35 cents per Tank fill of 17 Gal. = 2 cents Per Gal.
Now, ask youself,
Would you still go to lower grade knowing the real saving is only 2 cents per Gallon instead of 10 cents per Gal?
Mid range.
If you flunked math, no need to read further
My car each fill is 17 Gal. Premium Gas Cost is $0.1 more/Gal at my pump.
17G fill = Cost $1.7 more per tank for going premium.
I get slightly better gas milage with premium. Mid Range I get 18.5 mpg.
but premiun I get 19 mpg. I get ~0.5 more mpg with Premium gas (93) over Mid range (89) which make the car go for aditional 8.5 miles per 17 Gal fill.
8.5 miles at 19 mpg ~0.45 Gal. If Gas Price is at $3 per Gal. premium gas give me a gain of $1.35 by running a 8.5 more miles per tank.
Net Result, The saving on going to Mid Range from Premium is
$1.7-$1.35 = 35 cents per Tank fill of 17 Gal. = 2 cents Per Gal.
Now, ask youself,
Would you still go to lower grade knowing the real saving is only 2 cents per Gallon instead of 10 cents per Gal?
Last edited by ma_sha1; Sep 20, 2006 at 01:58 PM. Reason: -
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A great "official" example of the performance gains by using premium is with the new 3.5 GR engine in the Camry V6 and ES350.
ES350
272 hp
254 torque
Tested with premium
Camry V6
268 hp
248 torque
Tested with regular
-----------------------
The powertrain in the Camry V6 and the ES350 is exactly the same. The only difference is that the ES was tested with premium, and the Camry was tested with regular.
So, in this case, premium led to a 4 hp increase and a 6 lb/ft torque increase. That's a gain of 1.49% and 2.41%, respectively.
ES350
272 hp
254 torque
Tested with premium
Camry V6
268 hp
248 torque
Tested with regular
-----------------------
The powertrain in the Camry V6 and the ES350 is exactly the same. The only difference is that the ES was tested with premium, and the Camry was tested with regular.
So, in this case, premium led to a 4 hp increase and a 6 lb/ft torque increase. That's a gain of 1.49% and 2.41%, respectively.
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From: Sicklerville, NJ
Premium fuel is less volatile (less explosive) than regular fuel. High compression engines need premium fuel because the heat generated by the high compression can cause regular fuel to detonate prior to the spark, thus affecting the proper ignition. In recent years, engines started coming with knock sensors that tell the computer to retard the timing if it "hears" knocking which is actually predetonation.
Therefore, you can use regular fuel in the G35 because of the knock sensors, but the retarded timing will make throttle response seem very slow.
I think the way to look at this situation is the other way around. If you have a low compression engine (one that doesn't recommend/require premium fuel), then you are wasting your money using premium. A car that's designed for premium should run premium.
There used to be a myth that when cars would continue running after you turned them off, it was caused by the regular fuel forming carbon deposits. The carbon deposits will be there anyway, it's just that the regular fuel actually would detonate from the hot carbon deposits. Premium fuel fixes the problem because it's not as easily detonated, thus only detonating when there's a genuine spark.
Sorry to ramble but I see that some of your posts make these points about timing, knock sensors, etc. but I felt I needed to explain it to those who might not understand.
Therefore, you can use regular fuel in the G35 because of the knock sensors, but the retarded timing will make throttle response seem very slow.
I think the way to look at this situation is the other way around. If you have a low compression engine (one that doesn't recommend/require premium fuel), then you are wasting your money using premium. A car that's designed for premium should run premium.
There used to be a myth that when cars would continue running after you turned them off, it was caused by the regular fuel forming carbon deposits. The carbon deposits will be there anyway, it's just that the regular fuel actually would detonate from the hot carbon deposits. Premium fuel fixes the problem because it's not as easily detonated, thus only detonating when there's a genuine spark.
Sorry to ramble but I see that some of your posts make these points about timing, knock sensors, etc. but I felt I needed to explain it to those who might not understand.
Isn't that "recommendation" the same for the current G35? I know some people have or are running less than premium w/o problems. Personally, I agree in that there is no point in getting a performance vehicle if you are not going to enjoy it. I'm spending money on car care products and such, trying to keep it clean and nice. Why not make sure you are getting the best performance and reliability spending a few dimes more a gallon?
Recommend my ***.................
I didn't spend all those $ on mods not to take advantage of every opportunity to use the extra
h.p. I accidently put half a tank of regular gas in
once and wasn't happy until I could fill up with prem.
h.p. I accidently put half a tank of regular gas in
once and wasn't happy until I could fill up with prem.
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From: Long Island, NY
An old article, but thought it may be of help to some people:
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/...emiumgas_x.htm
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/...emiumgas_x.htm
I personally use regular even though my owner's manual says you'll get better performance with premium," says Lewis Gibbs, consulting engineer and 45-year veteran at Chevron oil company. He's chairman of Technical Committee 7 on Fuels, part of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Fuels & Lubricants Council. Gibbs knows gas.
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From that USAToday article:
"I personally use regular even though my owner's manual says you'll get better performance with premium," says Lewis Gibbs, consulting engineer and 45-year veteran at Chevron oil company. He's chairman of Technical Committee 7 on Fuels, part of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Fuels & Lubricants Council. Gibbs knows gas.
"My wife runs midgrade (89 octane) in her car, and it's a turbocharged engine" meant for 91-octane premium, he says.
This guy has every reason to push premium and still says and uses regular. He also has the qualifications to back up his statements and actions. How's about you guys?
"I personally use regular even though my owner's manual says you'll get better performance with premium," says Lewis Gibbs, consulting engineer and 45-year veteran at Chevron oil company. He's chairman of Technical Committee 7 on Fuels, part of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Fuels & Lubricants Council. Gibbs knows gas.
"My wife runs midgrade (89 octane) in her car, and it's a turbocharged engine" meant for 91-octane premium, he says.
This guy has every reason to push premium and still says and uses regular. He also has the qualifications to back up his statements and actions. How's about you guys?